The Executive Women’s Conference (EWC) was founded in 2018 by Arch Mortgage Insurance Company (Arch MI) with the goal of uniting leaders from the lending industry to explore emerging trends, address key challenges, collaborate on strategies and foster a stronger, more unified network of professionals.
Each subsequent gathering has reached new heights for our group. Featuring attentive hosts, distinguished speakers, an inspiring workshop and exciting excursions, the conference is purposefully held at an exclusive retreat location, away from the everyday work environment.
This year’s conference takes place at the beautiful Hotel Yountville Resort & Spa in the heart of Napa Valley. The charming town of Yountville is known for its world-class wineries, fine dining and picturesque landscapes.
Executive Women’s Conference
Hotel Yountville Resort and Spa
6462 Washington Street
Yountville, California 94599
6462 Washington Street
707-967-7900
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Arch MI Registration, Heritage Oak Terrace
Upon arrival and check-in, please visit the Arch MI registration desk for your EWC attendee packet and jump right into our curated gift experience.
2–3 p.m.
Welcome on the Patio
An array of snacks and beverages will be served. Grab a glass of wine and head to Oak Hall for our kickoff meeting.
3–5 p.m.
CONFERENCE MEETINGS, Oak Hall
3–3:15 p.m. Lead Opening Remarks
Valerie Ausband, Executive Host and SVP of National Field Sales and Strategic Accounts, Arch MI
3:15–3:45 p.m. The CEO Perspective
Michael Schmeiser, President and CEO, Arch U.S. Mortgage
3:45–4 p.m. Break
4–5 p.m. Keynote Address
Lisa Sun, CEO and Founder, GRAVITAS
5–5:45 p.m.
free time
5:45 p.m.
Gather in the lobby of the Hotel Yountville for a 10-minute ride to the Prisoner Wine Company.
6–9 p.m.
The Prisoner Wine Company, St. Helena, California
6–6:30 p.m. Welcome Reception, Tasting Lounge and Yard (weather permitting)
Sparkling wine and passed hors d’oeuvres.
6:30–8:30 p.m. Seated Dinner, Makery
Exquisite California cuisine, paired with the winery’s exclusive wines.
Our featured guest speaker will be renowned Prisoner Winemaker Chrissy Wittman, who will join us for dinner and share her passion for winemaking and career success story.
8:30–9 p.m.
This time is allotted for those who want to shop for wine and other gifts. You can take a bottle with you or have wine shipped to you at home.
7:30–8:15 a.m.
Breakfast, Oak Hall
8:15 a.m.–12 p.m.
CONFERENCE MEETINGS, Oak Hall
8:15–9 a.m. Fireside Chat: Industry Insights
Valerie Tucker Ausband, SVP of National Field Sales and Strategic Accounts, Arch MI
Meg Burns, EVP, Housing Policy Council
Deb Jones, SVP, Director of Mortgage Capital Markets, Citizens Bank
Sara Millard, General Counsel, Arch Global Mortgage Group
9–9:30 a.m. Risk Perspectives
Cheryl Feltgen, EVP and Chief Risk Officer, Arch MI
9:30–9:45 a.m. Break
9:45–Noon Lender-led Roundtable Discussions
12:15 p.m.
Gather in the Hotel Yountville lobby for a 10-minute walk or a short ride option provided to Bottega.
12:30–2:30 p.m.
Lunch at Bottega, Yountville
2:30 p.m.
Immediately following lunch, we will walk from Bottega to Priest Ranch (a six-minute walk) for our group tasting.
2:45–4:30 p.m.
Wine Tasting, Priest Ranch Tasting Room, Yountville
Learn about wine and winemaking during this 90-minute tasting experience, featuring a variety of delightful Priest Ranch wines served with delicious hors d’oeuvres.
4:30 p.m.
Gather for a short four-minute walk or short ride back to the Hotel Yountville from Priest Ranch.
4:45–5:45 p.m.
Free Time
5:45 p.m.
Gather in the lobby of the Hotel Yountville for a short seven-minute ride to the Sequoia Grove Winery.
6–8:30 p.m.
Sequoia Grove Winery, Napa
6–7 p.m. Reception and Winery Tour
Passed hors d’oeuvres, paired with select wines.
7–8:30 p.m. Seated Dinner
Lavish seasonally inspired four-course gourmet dinner prepared by Executive Chef Spencer Conaty, paired with the winery’s finest cabernets. The dinner at Sequoia is our final gathering.
The 2025 Executive Women’s Conference is officially adjourned.
Safe Travels!
Enjoy breakfast at Heritage Oak and bill to Arch MI. Depart at your leisure. We wish you a safe trip home.
Please contact Paige Williams (336-908-0564, [email protected]) or Christy Wiens (925-864-3629, [email protected]) if you have any questions about our conference, accommodations at the Hotel Yountville, the agenda and special excursions.
While in Yountville, we will engage with one another, share insights and discuss new strategies for the year ahead.
Valerie Ausband, Executive Host and SVP, National Field Sales and Strategic Accounts, Arch MI
National Bestselling Author of GRAVITAS (USA Today, No. 1 on Amazon)
A renowned motivational speaker, Lisa is admired for her warmth and passion. She blends stories from her personal journey with data and experience-driven insights from her 11 years at McKinsey & Company to empower women to choose self-confidence, work to harness their “superpower” and use gravitas to advance personally and professionally.
After becoming a top financial management consultant for luxury goods and fashion at McKinsey, Lisa founded Gravitas in 2012. She had been told early in her career that she lacked gravitas and to go buy herself a new dress. She noted the comment and ran with it. She filed for a global patent to build shapewear directly into dresses, designed to imbue confidence. She has proven to women they can be remade from the inside out.
Within two months of launching, her collection was featured in O, The Oprah Magazine and PEOPLE and on NBC’s TODAY show in the same month, and the brand is still going strong. She herself has been named a best-dressed woman.
She graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Yale University with distinction in biology and political science.
Valerie Tucker Ausband
Senior Vice President of National Field Sales
and Strategic Accounts
Cheryl Feltgen
Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer
Sara Millard
General Counsel, Arch Global Mortgage
Michael Schmeiser
President and Chief Executive Officer, Arch U.S. Mortgage
Carl Tyree
Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer, Arch MI
Valerie Tucker Ausband
Senior Vice President of National Field Sales and Strategic Accounts, Arch MI
As Arch MI’s SVP-National Field Sales & Strategic Accounts, Valerie Ausband is responsible for managing sales, profitability and budget, client relationships and hiring and developing sales talent.
With 27 years of mortgage insurance experience, Valerie has led both Arch MI’s and United Guaranty’s sales organizations to achieve extraordinary sales results, year over year. She has spent her career in mortgage lending and mortgage insurance industries, starting her career with a leading market share retail mortgage lender in Atlanta, moving to the title services business and then joining United Guaranty in 1998.
Valerie’s dedication to the industry is evidenced by her leadership and creation of the Executive Women’s Conference and the Women’s Leadership Group. She also served multiple terms on the Board of Advisors for XINNIX®, the Mortgage Academy. HousingWire recognized Valerie in its 2017 and 2018 “Women of Influence” programs. In 2019, she received the Mortgage Women Magazine’s Women with Vision Award.
Valerie and her sons (Tucker, 19, and Nash, 16) have a nonprofit organization called Batter Up Foundation, that supplies athletic equipment to young athletes in underserved communities throughout Atlanta. Valerie is an active member of University of Georgia’s Foundation, Georgia Women Give, a philanthropy that supports academic scholarships, study abroad endowment and campus programming. In addition, she is involved in the University’s mentor program, working with current students. She holds an Accredited Mortgage Professional (AMP) designation, a Property & Casualty license and a Georgia Real Estate license. Valerie earned her bachelor’s degree in history at the University of Georgia.
Cheryl Feltgen
Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer, Arch MI
As Chief Risk Officer, Cheryl Feltgen has responsibility for risk management oversight of all domestic mortgage insurance businesses. She leads a team dedicated to advancing the risk culture, articulating a risk appetite and supporting the business in identifying, measuring, monitoring, controlling and reporting all risk types.
Her responsibilities include the Enterprise Risk Management Program, portfolio risk management, credit policy, client risk management, model risk management, operational risk management, and quality control and loss investigations.
She has decades of experience in financial services and real estate investments, including eight years in risk management and operating unit leadership positions at GE Capital. She received her bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Northwestern University and her Master’s in Business Administration in accounting and finance from the University of Michigan.
Michael Schmeiser
President and Chief Executive Officer, Arch U.S. Mortgage
Michael Schmeiser is President and CEO of Arch U.S. Mortgage, which includes Arch MI and Arch Mortgage Funding. He is a member of parent company Arch Capital Group’s Executive Leadership Team.
Prior to becoming CEO of Arch U.S. Mortgage in 2019, he held the role of Chief Strategy Officer, Arch Global Mortgage Group. Before joining Arch, Michael was SVP, Strategic Initiatives, for United Guaranty Corporation (UGC). Previously, he served as VP, Strategy and Corporate Development, for UGC and held a variety of strategy roles at American Express Company, The Parthenon Group LLC and Intel Corporation.
Michael has more than two decades of strategy experience, primarily in financial services. He holds a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering from Purdue University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Carl Tyree
EVP and Chief Sales Officer, Arch MI
President and CEO, Arch Mortgage Funding (AMF)
With nearly three decades of mortgage and financial services experience, Carl Tyree holds multiple leadership positions with Arch Mortgage Insurance Company (Arch MI) and Arch Mortgage Funding, Inc. (AMF), both part of Arch Capital’s global mortgage group.
He has been Arch MI’s Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer since 2018 and serves on the company’s Board of Directors.
In January of 2025, Carl was appointed to the additional position of AMF President and CEO, overseeing business strategy and operations for the mortgage market conduit that purchases closed loans and provides a stable source of liquidity for non-QM business.
He joined Arch MI in 2013 as Vice President of National Accounts, where he managed company relationships with several top 50 lenders and became Senior Vice President for National Accounts in 2016.
Before joining Arch MI, he held senior sales and sales leadership roles with Republic Mortgage Insurance Company, Nomura Credit & Capital Inc. and Ocwen Financial Corporation.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Salisbury University’s Perdue School of Business.
Sara Millard
General Counsel, Arch Mortgage Group
As General Counsel, Sara Millard oversees the team responsible for legal, regulatory, compliance and HR services across Arch’s mortgage insurance and mortgage reinsurance operations in the U.S., Australia and Europe.
Before joining Arch, she served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of United Guaranty Corporation (UGC), which Arch acquired in late 2016.
Sara holds a Juris Doctor degree from North Carolina Central University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. With her passion to enable nonprofits that foster educational success, she serves on the Guilford Technical Community College Foundation and the Arch Group Foundation boards.
Outside of work, Sara spends time with her husband and two children on sporting fields, hiking, gardening or any other activities that get the family outside.
Meg Burns
Executive Vice President, Housing Policy Council
Meg oversees the Housing Policy Council’s (HPC’s) regulatory policy, government affairs and membership services. Meg joined HPC as the SVP for Mortgage Policy, managing various regulatory and housing finance policy activities and engaging with federal policymakers.
Before joining HPC, Meg was a Partner at a Washington, D.C.-based housing finance advisory firm. Most of her career has been dedicated to federal service. She served as the Senior Associate Director of the Office of Housing and Regulatory Policy at the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), overseeing the policy activities of the GSEs in conservatorship, including several high-impact projects, like the Servicing Alignment Initiative, redesign of the HARP program and updating of the GSE representation and warranty models. Meg was also the Director of the Office of Congressional Affairs and Communications at FHFA and the Director for Single Family Program Development at the Federal Housing Administration.
Meg holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Connecticut College and a master’s degree in philosophy and public policy from The George Washington University.
Deborah (Deb) Jones
Senior Vice President and Director of Mortgage Capital Markets, Citizens Bank, N.A.
A 40-year veteran of the financial services industry, Deb Jones, notably a Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) with the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), is a mortgage banking and lending practices expert who specializes in secondary and capital markets.
A strong advocate of giving back, she is actively engaged in investor and industry matters through various trade associations, committees, lender roundtables and boards, holding various leadership roles. She currently serves on MBA’s Board of Directors and its Residential/Single Family Board of Governors (RESBOG) and is Vice Chair of MBA’s CMB Society. She also sits on the Housing Policy Advisory Council and is a Board Member of the non-profit CapitalW Collective, whose mission is to mentor and empower female professionals and allies to expand their knowledge of capital markets and advance their careers.
As a demonstrated leader and trail blazer, Deb is a frequent industry speaker on mortgage banking and lending policy issues, particularly on the topic of their impact on the secondary market.
In her role at Citizens Bank, she is responsible for overseeing mortgage capital markets and portfolio optimization. She manages a strong and diverse leadership team that drives a collaborative culture and excellence in execution at their organization. She and her team control hedging, pricing, mortgage servicing rights, investor relations, loan delivery, repurchase, product strategy and strategic mortgage transactions.
Deb owns a small horse farm outside of Richmond, Virginia, and enjoys field hunter events and foxhunting in her spare time. She is also co-founder of women owned Square One Organic Vodka.
Nestled in the heart of Napa Valley, Hotel Yountville is a luxurious retreat in Yountville, California. The boutique hotel exudes rustic charm paired with modern elegance, featuring beautifully appointed rooms and suites designed to provide the utmost comfort. Each room boasts plush bedding, cozy fireplaces and spa-like bathrooms with oversized jetted tubs. The hotel’s serene gardens, lined with olive trees and lavender, create an inviting and relaxing atmosphere.
The hotel’s restaurant showcases the finest local ingredients, offering a culinary experience that reflects the vibrant flavors of Napa Valley. With its picturesque setting, exceptional service and close proximity to world-class wineries and gourmet dining, Hotel Yountville is an ideal destination for our unique business event.
The Hotel Yountville Resort & Spa
6462 Washington Street | Yountville, California 94599 | 707-967-7900
Registration
Monday, November 10 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Pick Your Hat! (at Hotel Yountville), a gift experience, with wine and entertainment.
The Rancher Hat Bar offers custom and stylish hat fittings, allowing guests to personalize their headwear with unique trims and designs in a rustic, cozy atmosphere. Perfect for fashion enthusiasts.
Dinner | Prisoner Wine Company, St. Helena
Monday, November 10 | 6 p.m.–9 p.m.
For our opening night dinner at Prisoner, we will enjoy an intimate reception with sparkling wines and passed hors d’oeuvres in the Tasting Lounge flowing into its Yard, weather permitting. This will be followed by a delectable multi-course dinner in the Makery, featuring Prisoner label fine wines. Chrissy Wittmann, Vice President of Luxury Winemaking, will speak to our group. After earning a degree in environmental science, Chrissy took a job working in a lab. When a wine analyst went on vacation, she was asked to fill in and hasn’t looked back since. This will contribute to an overall unforgettable culinary and mind-expanding experience. We will allow extra time at the end the evening for picking out souvenir wine and other gifts from the winery’s shop.
Lunch | Bottega, Yountville
Tuesday, November 11 | Noon–2 p.m.
As a fun twist for lunch, we will make our own individual pizzas at Bottega, which offers a rustic, yet elegant backdrop for this activity. Renowned for its Italian-inspired cuisine, the restaurant will provide each of us a pizza base and an assortment of fresh, locally sourced ingredients for toppings. We will also be served an assortment of salads and wine to accompany the pizza, ensuring a complete and memorable meal.
Wine Tasting | Priest Ranch, Yountville
Tuesday, November 11 | 2:15–4 p.m.
Join the group for an afternoon wine tasting at Priest Ranch, featuring four delicious current-release Priest Ranch wines accompanied by shared cheese boards for each table. Delight in the harmonious combination of fine wines and delectable bites while learning from experts about the business of winemaking. The setting is perfect for a sophisticated outing.
Dinner | Sequoia Grove, Napa
Tuesday, November 11 | 6–8:30 p.m.
Our final dinner will begin with a reception and winery tour at Sequoia Grove, nestled among the area’s signature towering redwoods. We will enjoy delectable hors d’oeuvres and select wines. Our reception will be followed by a seated four-course dinner prepared by renowned Executive Chef Spencer Conaty and his team. Each course will be paired with the perfect wine. This special culinary experience pairing exceptional wines with a menu celebrating the bounty of Napa Valley will guarantee a fantastic top off to our 2025 Executive Women’s Conference.
Where Is Yountville, California?
Attendees are responsible for all travel arrangements and associated travel expenditures, inclusive of flights and ground transportation to and from the airport and hotel.
Once you arrive at Hotel Yountville on Monday, November 10, for the EWC, Arch MI will be responsible for the expense associated with each guest’s two-night individual reservation, including breakfast on Wednesday, November 12. While attending the EWC, Arch MI’s host responsibilities will be inclusive of group activities and meals.
The closest airports to Hotel Yountville are:
- Napa County Airport (APC): 5 miles. Charter and private flights only.
- Sonoma County Airport (STS): 36.5 miles.
- Oakland International Airport (OAK): 59.5 miles.
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO): 67.8 miles.
- Sacramento International Airport (SMF): 72.5 miles.
Traffic in the Bay Area can be busy and unpredictable, so investigate best options for your day and time of travel.
If you don’t plan on renting a car when you arrive in northern California, you should easily be able to use Uber, other ride-share or cab service from any of the various airports to travel to the Hotel Yountville.
However, for travel around Yountville or back to the airport, Hotel Yountville recommends Pure Luxury Transportation.
What to Wear
Comfort is key. Prepare for varying temperatures and lots of walking.
Wine Country casual, where temps can vary 20 degrees from morning until night, calls for layers.
Jeans, sweaters, light jackets and boots work well for our meetings and excursions.
Consider bringing the following:
- Denim
- Boots
- Leather
- Hats
Weather Forecast
Fall is harvest time in Yountville and the weather is idyllic.
Expect sunny skies (average rainfall for November is 2 inches) and average temps between 45⁰ and 64⁰.
